Can maternal education hinder, sustain or enhance the benefits of early life interventions? Evidence from the Young Lives Longitudinal Study?

Abstract

The document focuses on the complementarities that education can bring to the multiple and sometimes interrelated interventions, from government and other national and international organisations, in the context of development. The international community and national governments around the world are committed to fighting poverty, reducing social and economic inequalities and improving the overall quality of life of individuals, in particular those living in extreme poverty and who are most in need (as indicated by the MDG, EFA, and other global initiatives signed and agreed by many countries). Therefore, resources have been invested to improve health and education, provide social protection and other anti-poverty interventions to improve the wellbeing of individuals and families. It is in this context that this paper raises the question: can education hinder, sustain or enhance the expected benefits of other interventions?